4 People were Shot Dead in Budgam, a Day After Indian Independence Day

on 16 August, Police and CRPF personnel fired upon protesting people in Aripathan village in Central Kashmir’s Budgam killing four youth and injuring many others. “At about 7:50 am, few police and CRPF vehicles entered the village – people were protesting against the night raids, in return bullets were showered on protesting people,” says Manzoor’s father.

Among the four people who were killed in village was Manzoor Ahmad, who is survived by two small kids and wife. Manzoor Ahmad Lone (29 year old), a farmer by profession had received bullets in his chest. The other people who were killed on same day are: Muhammad Ashraf Wani ( Age,32 yrs) S/O Ghulam Muhammad and Javaid Ahmed Najar (Age,16 yrs) S/O Ghulam Rasool and Javaid Ahmed Sheikh (Age, 17 yrs) S/O Ghulam Rasool,, all residents of Aripanthan Beerwah. As per police sources quoted in local newspapers around 80 people were injured that day. Farooq Ahmad aged 27 years was shot in his head which left him paralyzed.

Locals of Aripanthan further state that on 15 August, on the day when India celebrated its independence day, local police and CRPF tried to hoist a tricolor in the chowk which was resisted by locals, in return Police and CRPF conducted a raid during the night and tried to arrest some youth which resulted in intense clashes between people and forces. On the next day morning, forces entered village and opened fire indiscriminately on people resulting in deaths and injuries to locals.